Police Make Slew of DUI Arrests Recently

Portsmouth Police have been busy with DUI arrests in recent days.

Police charged Matthew Michael O’Brien, 25, of 18 Harvest Drive, Portsmouth, with driving under the influence at around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday after they responded to a crash at Inflicting Ink.

Police said they found O'Brien sitting in his 2003 Toyota Four Runner, which was hung up on a stone wall. The cup holder in the center console contained an open beer.

Police said O’Brien told them he was trying to turn around in the parking lot when he got stuck and then handed them a AAA membership card instead of his drivers license.

Police said they smelled alcohol and noticed that O’Brien’s zipper was partially down and his front pockets were inside out. He denied drinking but police saw a 12 ounce can of Bud Light in the center console, still cold and a quarter full.

O’Brien reportedly refused to complete a field sobriety test, telling police he knew his “lights.”

All told, police charged O’Brien with DUI, refusing a chemical test, operating an unregistered vehicle,  an open container violation, refusing a preliminary breath test and driving without proof of insurance. 

Also on Sunday, Portsmouth Police charged Deborah Marie Ross, 56, of 112 Fieldstone Lane, Tiverton, with driving under the influence after she was seen swerving on Turnpike Avenue by an officer on routine patrol.

Police said Ross smelled like alcohol and failed a field sobriety test after telling them she was driving home from a friend’s house and had a few glasses of wine.

Police also charged Ross with refusing a chemical test.

Her car was towed from the scene and she was taken into custody without incident.

On Feb. 28, Portsmouth Police charged Stephen Allen Millard, 62, of 91 Greenfield Ave., Portsmouth, with driving under the influence.

Police said Millard was stopped at around 8:19 p.m. on Middle Road after they were alerted by a local liquor store that refused service because he appeared drunk.

Police said they saw him cross lane markers before he was stopped and showed signs of being drunk. He reportedly was unsteady during a field sobriety test and when patted down, he said he is an “angel in disguise” and “works for a higher power.”

Later, at the station, police said Millard registered a .183 and .182 during two breathalyzer tests.

He was charged with driving under the influence, first offence and issued a Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal summonses for speeding and a lane violation.